With the 2024 US presidential election looming and polls suggesting a tight result, the Electoral College will ultimately determine the winner, not the popular vote.
The election sees former Republican President Donald Trump take on Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris, with polls due to close on Tuesday evening — some votes have already been cast.
Amidst the tension, the technology sector braces itself for policies that could reshape its future.
A recent EY survey highlights that 74% of tech industry leaders believe the election results will significantly impact the industry’s ability to compete globally, with AI, cybersecurity, trade policies, and regulatory frameworks among the areas under scrutiny.
Additionally, concerns over AI-driven disinformation, including deepfakes used for voter manipulation, have escalated, underscoring technology’s critical role in both the campaign and electoral process.
As the world eagerly anticipates the election outcome, TechInformed analyses the candidates’ interests in ten key technology areas:
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation
Donald Trump
- Proposes minimal AI regulation to maintain US innovation dominance
- Prioritises defence AI applications with a focus on national security
- Supports open-source AI development with limited federal oversight
- Encourages private sector-led job training for AI-affected roles
- Sees AI as an economic driver, supporting industry-led training for AI jobs
Kamala Harris
- Promotes AI regulation for ethical use and to mitigate algorithmic harm
- Supports transparency and accountability standards for AI algorithms
- Plans to align AI use with privacy and civil rights safeguards
- Favours partnerships with tech firms for standardised AI ethics
- Likely to prioritise a national AI ethics framework, ensuring compliance
2. Cybersecurity
Donald Trump
- Focuses on a defence-driven cybersecurity approach for critical infrastructure
- Advocates expanding military cyber capabilities against foreign threats
- Supports limited federal oversight on private-sector cybersecurity practices
- Encourages R&D collaborations with tech firms for cyber-defence
- Plans to increase investment in cyber units to protect national security
Kamala Harris
- Advocates federal cybersecurity standards, particularly for critical industries
- Supports transparency on data breaches, especially regarding sensitive data
- Favours global collaboration to tackle cybersecurity threats internationally
- Emphasises public-private partnerships for cybersecurity workforce development
- Supports federal funding for research in advanced cyber defence
3. Big Tech and Antitrust Actions
Donald Trump
- Criticises Big Tech, accusing firms of anti-conservative bias in content moderation
- Supports ongoing antitrust actions against monopolistic companies
- Emphasises free-market competition but targets companies seen as censoring conservative voices
- Likely to relax antitrust enforcement for firms he deems aligned with free-market values
- Advocates transparency for content moderation practices in Big Tech platforms
Kamala Harris
- Continues Biden’s aggressive stance on Big Tech monopolies
- Likely to pursue strict antitrust laws preventing anti-competitive mergers
- Supports greater transparency in tech firms’ data privacy and competitive practices
- Favours a level playing field for emerging businesses in tech sectors
- Advocates for oversight of tech business practices to ensure fair competition
4. Data Privacy and Consumer Protection
Donald Trump
- Advocates limited federal intervention, favouring industry-led data standards
- Opposes extensive data privacy laws, suggesting market-driven solutions
- Supports individual rights without enforcing strict federal mandates
- Proposes minimal scrutiny over data handling to stimulate innovation
- Favours self-regulation in data security within tech companies
Kamala Harris
- Strongly backs federal data privacy legislation to protect consumers
- Supports strict penalties for data breaches to ensure compliance
- Favours encryption and security standards for protecting consumer data
- Promotes alignment with international privacy standards for consistency
- Advocates for transparency in companies’ data-sharing practices
5. US-China Tech Relations
Donald Trump
- Strongly opposes Chinese tech influence, supporting tariffs on goods from companies like Huawei and ZTE
- Plans to ban Chinese-owned platforms like TikTok, citing national security concerns
- Emphasises restricting exports of sensitive tech like AI and semiconductors to China
- Seeks supply chain independence from China in critical tech sectors
- Proposes tariffs on Chinese tech firms considered security risks
Kamala Harris
- Likely to maintain export restrictions on high-tech items with a “targeted” approach
- Focuses on coalition-building with allies on tech policies with China
- Aims to reduce US dependency on Chinese-made tech components
- Seeks to address human rights issues tied to Chinese surveillance tech
- Supports investments in US manufacturing to counterbalance China’s tech influence
6. Semiconductors and Chips
Donald Trump
- Plans to increase domestic production, imposing tariffs on foreign-made semiconductors
- Suggests incentives for American companies to manufacture semiconductors in the US
- Proposes loosening regulations to accelerate domestic chip facility construction
- Supports defence-related partnerships to secure the US chip supply
- Envisions stringent controls on semiconductor exports to nations deemed threats
Kamala Harris
- Strongly supports the CHIPS Act for US semiconductor production resilience
- Backs federal funding for semiconductor R&D and advanced manufacturing
- Aims to strengthen alliances to secure a collaborative semiconductor supply chain
- Seeks to minimise environmental impact with sustainable chip production
- Plans to increase STEM programs with a focus on semiconductor technology
7. Military Technology
Donald Trump
- Prioritises AI and automation within military systems to enhance the US defence capabilities
- Supports increased defence funding for R&D in areas like drone technology and autonomous vehicles
- Encourages private-sector partnerships for faster development of military-grade technology
- Seeks minimal regulatory oversight for defence contractors to speed up innovation
- Advocates for domestic production of military tech components to avoid foreign dependency
Kamala Harris
- Focused on ethical standards in defence applications, aiming to balance military advancements with AI regulations
- Likely to continue Biden’s approach to cybersecurity, ensuring that military tech meets robust security standards
- Supports collaborative defence tech R&D with allied nations for shared security initiatives
- Emphasises transparency in AI-driven military tech to avoid misuse in international conflicts
- Reportedly advocates for expanding the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) funding for new military technologies
8. Telecommunications
Donald Trump
- Plans to push rapid 5G development with minimal regulatory restrictions
- Advocates for private-sector-led broadband and telecom infrastructure without federal intervention
- Favours limited government involvement in net neutrality, leaving speed and pricing policies to ISPs
- Supports SpaceX’s Starlink for expanding satellite internet in rural areas
- Emphasises deregulation in data centre development to bolster telecommunications infrastructure
Kamala Harris
- Supports federally funded 5G and broadband expansion, especially in rural and underserved communities
- Likely to uphold net neutrality, viewing it as essential for digital equity across all income levels
- Favours sustainable practices in telecom infrastructure, particularly in data centre operations.
- Backs international collaboration on 5G standards and satellite connectivity
- Advocates for subsidies to make internet access affordable nationwide, closing the digital divide
9. Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
Donald Trump
- Branding himself as the “pro-crypto candidate”, a U-turn on his previous term, he favours tax incentives for blockchain and crypto investments
- Supports minimal cryptocurrency regulation to position the US as a crypto hub
- Likely to limit SEC regulations on crypto to encourage economic growth
- Advocates free-market approaches in blockchain for supply chain transparency
- Opposes strict federal oversight, favouring industry-led standards
Kamala Harris
- Likely to support comprehensive regulation to secure crypto markets and protect consumers
- Likely to promote a standardised regulatory framework for digital assets
- Advocates international cooperation to create clear, unified crypto regulations
- Emphasises the importance of consumer protection in blockchain technology
- Supports blockchain integration in secure government systems
10. Emerging Technology
Donald Trump
- Limited support for green tech, focusing more on energy independence through traditional resources
- Favours deregulated smart cities and IoT initiatives, prioritising private sector-led infrastructure
- Promotes quantum computing for national security, encouraging innovation with minimal intervention
- Supports initiatives to drive innovation in manufacturing technology, emphasising American-made tech for industrial resilience
- Emphasises AI-driven IoT applications for defence and security
Kamala Harris
- Likely to introduce policies to encourage clean tech and sustainable practices across emerging industries
- Advocates for green tech and sustainable solutions within smart cities and IoT infrastructure developments
- Supports federal funding for quantum computing and emerging tech with commercial applications
- Promotes ethical AI and blockchain use in healthcare to improve patient data security and efficiency
- Supports the development of AI tools and applications for equitable access to educational resources and personalised learning
Share
